Have you tried manifestation methods and . . . it sounds so good, but it never seems to work for you?

Manifestation experts convince you that all you have to do is say (or write) an affirmation X number of times and then forget it (because you don’t want to show lack of confidence to the universe? FAIL.

Or just assume it’s going to happen/already has happened and forget it? FAIL.

I want to share what has worked for me, and what hasn’t, and why.

If law of attraction concepts haven’t worked for you in the past, maybe this will help.

Ultimately, each person has to try a bunch of law of attraction and manifestation concepts until you find what works for you. Once you find it, bam, you have a repeatable-results method that works every time!

Think of it as an Easter egg hunt in which you need to find the golden egg.

One technique does not fit all because manifestation techniques work by triggering a deep resonance and feeling of comfort and confidence within you. That’s drastically different for everyone.

Let’s dig into the most popular “miracle” manifestation method of recent years, the 3 6 9 method.

And you’ll find five more of my favorite law of attraction methods if you make it to the bottom of this article.

The Truth About the 3 6 9 Method

The great deal of the mystery and belief around the 3 6 9 Manifestation Method is in its supposed connection to inventor Nikola Tesla.

Guess what? The 3 6 9 Manifestation Method is not a system created or endorsed Tesla. It’s loosely based on a vague statement he once made about the power of these numbers, and by some OCD, non-manifestation-related habits he had.

According to the organization OCD-UK:

“It’s reported that Tesla started showing symptoms of OCD around 1917 when he became obsessed with the number three. When taking his daily swim at the public pool, he always swam 33 laps, but if he lost count he said he couldn’t leave, and instead had to start over from zero.

“He often had an urge to circle a city block three times before entering a building. When leaving a building he had to turn right only, and walk around the entire block before becoming “free” and being able to leave.

“Tesla worked every day from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. or later, with dinner at a very specific 8:10 p.m. Tesla would then resume his work, often until 3:00 a.m.

“He also [only] stayed in hotel room[s] with a number divisible by three (he lived the last ten years of his life in suite 3327 on the 33rd floor of the New Yorker Hotel).”

What Tesla Did Say About the Power of 3, 6, and 9

Tesla, who revolutionized the field of electrical engineering, often spoke of the mystical significance of these numbers.

As far as I know, his only quote about this is: “If you only knew the magnificence of the 3, 6, and 9, then you would have the key to the universe.”

While Tesla left his meaning to interpretation, many people believe that he was referring to a possible connection between sacred geometry, the universe, and energy.

Tesla’s groundbreaking work with alternating current and electromagnetic fields suggests he believed that everything in the universe operates through vibration and frequency, and that the numbers 3, 6, and 9 might have represented, to him, fundamental frequencies that govern the natural world.

Could it be possible that he believed these numbers were key to aligning ourselves with the natural flow of energy and, in turn, manifesting our desires? We’ll never know.

While the 3 6 9 Method was never practiced or endorsed by Tesla, many cultures and religions throughout the world have also recognized something mystical about the numbers 3, 6, and 9.

As someone who was raised as a Roman Catholic, praying novenas (9 days of ritualistic prayer connected to a canonized saint) was something that always worked for me. And I adapted some elements of this ritual to make the 3 6 9 Method work better for me. More on that if you keep reading.

So, Who Did Create the 3 6 9 Manifestation Method and What Is It?

Self-described manifestation mentor Karin Yee used Tesla’s name to promote the method on social media from approximately 2019 to 2021. After that, she appears to have transitioned out of manifestation coaching and into a marketing executive role for a law firm.

The Karin Yee 3 6 9 Method involves writing down a specific affirmation or outcome you want, in the present tense, a certain number of times each day for 30 days.

Write your desire three times in the morning.
Write your desire six times during the day.
Write your desire nine times at night before bed.

The idea is to imprint your desire into your subconscious mind. Writing the intention multiple times each day is said to focus your energy and belief in the outcome, reinforcing the idea that what you desire is already yours.

The repetition of writing the affirmation 3, 6, and 9 times each day is intended to create a powerful energy flow, aligning your thoughts with the manifestation process.

The concept is that the more consistently you focus on your desire and express it through writing, the more you start to believe in its inevitability.

But, Does It Work?

I tried it, with no positive results, and immediately recognized some things that make it ineffective – and tweaked it so that it became very powerful for me (and now, maybe for you, too).

For me, it didn’t work because I wasn’t connecting with the practice enough times each day to make it really powerful for me. And, I needed to add a few other elements (that didn’t take more time to do, just added emotion and intention).

If you’re just mechanically writing the words on the page, it’s almost guaranteed to fail.

What I Changed to Make the 3 6 9 Method Work for Me

Let’s go back to the Catholic novena example I mentioned earlier. Don’t worry, we’re just talking about a powerful framework here that we can adapt to the 3 6 9 Method.

I’m not suggesting that you do anything that’s aligned with a specific religion.

Here’s what the Catholic ritual involves:

1) Choosing a saint that you already have a relationship with (so you believe they will help you).

2) Bonus points if the saint also is believed to help with the specific situation you want to improve.

3) You light a special 9-day novena candle with an image of the saint. A specific prayer to say is usually on the back of the candle or can be found online.

4) Every day, you say the prayer (or your own prayer, if you prefer) and the candle burns throughout the nine days.

The burning candle gives the feeling that your saint is on the job, interceding with God to give you what you asked for. Or, if not, to assist you in other ways with the situation.

Let’s Adapt This to 3 6 9

1) I kept within the 3 6 9 framework, but I did it differently. You’ll still be writing the affirmation a total of 18 times a day, but I did my writing 6 times a day, every 3 hours, writing my affirmation 3 times per writing session. This kept my affirmation in mind every 3 hours, so I was focusing more consistently.

For example, I did my writing at 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm, and 12am. All of these numbers are divisible by 3, just for a little added punch.

But you can choose whatever hours suit your waking hours best. If you aren’t able to write exactly at those times, it’s ok. Write as close to your scheduled times as possible. No need to start over.

2) I did this for 9 days, not 30 days.

3) No mindless writing. Each time I wrote, I simultaneously visualized what it would be like to have what I was asking for, and felt the happiness and relief.

4) I chose a guardian spirit to guide me and assist. (You could choose your inner being, higher self, angel, ancestor, deity – or whomever feels most appropriate to your affirmation.)

5) You don’t have to light a candle, but if you do, for safety, don’t leave it burning unattended.

6) Craft your affirmation to have exactly 9 words. This focuses your attention very clearly, and helps you to remember your affirmation so that you can say it at other times of the day. If you can’t put it into 9 words, it might not be crystal clear and focused enough.

Keep reading, if you want to know the mystical significance of the numbers 3, 6, and 9.

3 6 9 Method Frequently Asked Questions

What if I get my wish in fewer than 9 days? Should I stop?
If your wish has been fulfilled, spend the remainder of the nine days writing affirmations of thanks and appreciation. Continue writing the same number of times and at the same times of day.

What if it’s day 10 and nothing has happened?
Start over, for another nine days, but change your affirmation to this question: “What do I need to know about my request?” This 9-word question will bring you answers about something you may need to do, learn, or understand about why your request has not been fulfilled yet.

You will receive divine downloads in answer to this question. Consider implementing the advice you receive, as long as it harms no one and is constructive and helpful.

The Historical Significance of 3, 6, and 9: Mystical Numbers and Symbolism

Why 3, 6, and 9? Why not 2, 5, and 8? Or any other combination of numbers?

Let’s take a look at why 3, 6, and 9 are associated with manifestation.

Number 3: Creation and Planting the Seed

The number 3 is perhaps the most universally symbolic number in both spiritual and religious contexts. It represents completeness and unity, often embodying the concept of a trinity or a cycle of creation. This idea can be seen in many traditions:

In Christianity, there’s the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In Celtic Paganism, there’s the Triple Goddess.
In Hinduism, there’s Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva; and the goddess trinity of Saraswathi, Lakshmi, and Shakti.

In manifestation, the number 3 often signifies the beginning of a process—the seed of an intention being planted in your mind and heart. It is the starting point of creation, where thought begins to materialize into reality.

Number 6: Feeding the Dream

The number 6 is associated with balance, harmony, and nurturing your dreams and goals. We feed them, spend time with them, we care about everything that helps bring our affirmations into being.

We love our dreams so much that we would never expect that they would materialize instantly without our forming a close relationship with what we desire.

In manifestation, 6 represents the stabilizing energy that allows your intention to take root. It suggests that when manifesting, your internal state (your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs) must be in harmony with what you want to create.

Number 9: Completion and Spiritual Fulfillment

The number 9 is often seen as the number of completion and fulfillment. In numerology, 9 also symbolizes justice (receiving deserved blessings after a period of devotion to your goal). An additional aspect of the number 9 is to consider the feelings and needs of others as part of our own desires and manifestation process.

When applied to manifestation, the number 9 symbolizes the completion of the manifestation process. It is the final stage in which your desires come to fruition, often symbolizing the moment when your dreams and intentions become tangible.

Think of the nine months of human gestation, representing the process of nurturing and growth before birth.

You can try my version of the 3 6 9 Method now, or keep reading for what manifestation is, why manifestation works, and five other techniques to try.
Or scroll down for links to all of the manifestation content I’ve written to date. (You’ll find my favorite manifestation movies, manifestation music playlists, and much more.)

What is Manifestation, Really?

Manifestation is the process of bringing something into your life through focused thought, belief, and intention. Essentially, it involves creating your reality by visualizing or “manifesting” your desires into existence.

It also involves following the guidance and clues you receive about how to draw to you the conditions you want.

Manifestation isn’t about wishful thinking or just hoping that good things will happen. It is a practice rooted in the belief that your thoughts, feelings, and actions influence the energy around you.

By aligning your inner world with your outer desires, you can attract opportunities, people, and circumstances that help you achieve your goals. It will feel like magic, but it’s really manifestation.

The Law of Attraction: The Foundation of Manifestation

The law of attraction is based on the belief that like attracts like—positive thoughts attract positive outcomes, while negative thoughts tend to draw negative experiences.

According to the law of attraction, by focusing on what you want and truly believing in the possibility of achieving it, you can attract the things you desire into your life.

For example, if you constantly think about prosperity and financial abundance, you are more likely to recognize opportunities that lead to financial growth. On the other hand, if you focus on scarcity and lack, your reality will reflect that belief.

The law of attraction operates on the premise that everything is made up of energy, including your thoughts and emotions.

When you focus on positive, high-vibration thoughts, you align yourself with the energy of abundance, health, love, or whatever else you wish to manifest.

Does this mean to grit your teeth and forcibly eject every negative thought that enters your mind?

No! But when you notice that your mind is dwelling on past negative experiences, blaming others, and getting emotionally worked up over things that happened years ago, that’s a signal to gently shift your thoughts.

It’s even helpful to have a list in your wallet of your favorite things, activities you enjoy, people you’ve shared happy experiences with, your favorite weather, possessions you enjoy having . . . anything that will help you shift to a more hopeful and receptive mood when you can’t stop thinking of bad experiences, the past, or your fears.

We have a choice about which movies we allow to play on repeat in our minds.

Manifestation Methods: 5 Popular Techniques

Here are five simple manifestation methods that I use all the time and that work for me.

Remember to stay relaxed as you try them. You’re calmly allowing your manifestations to happen, not trying to force them to happen through tension and fear.

Visualization: Vividly imagine the desired outcome. Create a mental or physical image of your goal and emotionally connect to the feeling of having already achieved it.
Affirmations: Repeat positive affirmations in the present tense, as if what you want is continually happening in your life right now. You can do this out loud, in writing, or (most powerfully) both. Write your favorite affirmations in a place where you’ll see them frequently throughout the day. You’re rewiring your brain for happiness and success.
Appreciation: Notice everything in your life that is already perfect, enjoyable, or lucky. This reminds you of the things that are already going right, and makes you feel that you’re someone who is naturally lucky. This raises your vibrational energy and creates positive expectation – making it easier to attract more of what you desire.
Scripting: Try writing a detailed account of your desired future, as though it has already happened. By writing in the present tense, you send a clear message to the universe that you are already living your dream life and feeling the feelings — exactly as you’ll continue to do when they appear in your physical world.
The 17-Second Rule: This is a pattern-interrupt method that believes if you shift from a negative thought (or non-productive way of thinking) to something you desire – for as few as 17 seconds – and then hold that positive feeling, this brief moment of focus helps to shift your vibration and attract the desired outcome. You can make a game of trying the extend that 17 seconds a little longer, and a little longer, until it becomes easier and easier to enjoy focusing on what you want rather than what you don’t want.

All My Best Manifestation Tips in One Place

Want more manifestation tips? Manifestation movies? Manifestation music playlists? Take a look here.

Browse my witchy shop here or book a tarot reading or spellwork consultation here.

3 6 9 Method: Using the Power of Nine and Novenas to Manifest Almost Anything